China’s new automotive technologies

To China, the topic about automotive technologies always seems a little bit bite. Although China has already become the world’s largest auto market, we now still have difficulties in researching and developing main engine and automatic transmission while the whole world has already crossed the threshold of internal combustion engine and entered into a new area of for development, in order to build and the worry, the world automotive internal combustion engine technology has into new areas of energy-saving low-carbon technology. The pace of China’s automotive technologies falls far behind the world once again.

　　The confusing plan of developing electric vehicle

Electric vehicle technology has long been considered as the most important means for energy-saving and emission reduction in the next phase. What is more, nowadays China has already been able to produce electric vehicles that so called take a leading position in the whole world. However, we can seldom see electric cars in the street of China. In the year of 2010, maybe the also been called the world's leading home-made. Unfortunately, the streets in China, we are hard to see presence. In 2010, the international Technology R & D Competition perhaps will be held in China.

It is revealed by the National Development and Reform Commission recently that China will soon release technical specification of new energy vehicles and the development planning of new energy vehicles will be was formally promulgated in March next year. Auto industry restructuring and revitalization plan has clearly put forward to form a production capacity of 500,000 units till 2011. However, this goal is seriously questioned within the industry. A production capacity of 500,000 units means that each first-line city of China will at least accommodate a sales volume of 100,000 units. According to the density of gas stations at present, 1700 charging stations should be built up to ensure the running of electric vehicles only in Beijing. How could this goal be achieved in only one year’ time? The plan of developing electric cars sounds great except that how to realize it is quite confusing.

　　The popular automobile lightweight technology

The so-called automobile lightweight technology means to reduce the curb weight of vehicles so as to improve their dynamics as well as to reduce fuel consumption and emissions as far as possible under the premise of ensuring strength and security. Studies have shown that the fuel consumption of vehicles can be lowered down by 0.3 to 0.6 liters once their curb weights are reduced by 100 kg. In addition, automobile lightweight technology can also promote their dynamics as well as save materials and reduce costs. Society of Automotive Engineers of China set up China Auto Lightweight Technology Innovation Strategic Alliance as early as two years ago Unfortunately, besides joint ventures, few autonomous vehicle enterprises in China truly are now engaged in exploring automobile lightweight technology.

It has been estimated once that by 2010 the average curb weight of cars will be reduced by 17%, which is 250 kg while the curb weight of sedans will decline from the current average 1,300 kg to 1,000 kg. Whether this goal can be achieved is unknown while it is known to all that the whole world including major auto companies of China have taken automobile lightweight technology as a critical planning.

　　Hot turbo technology

As the models with a letter T, such as Magotan 2.0T and new Regal 2.0T, become available in Chinese auto market, the turbo technology which is original non-mainstream in China has suddenly been delegated to the forefront. under the influence of these models, the turbo technology which can erupt astonishing power with only a small displacement has been increasingly recognized and accepted by the market and consumers. Consequentially, automakers begin to introduce turbo-charged cars greatly.

Among Ford’s four models in China next year, at least two will be fitted with new power technology EcoBoost---cylinder direct-injection and turbo-charged. Automakers such as Toyota, Volkswagen, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Brilliance also have similar plan. It can be predicted that a storm of turbo technology will be stirring up in Chinese auto market in the year of 2010.(Translator: Yalong /Jessie)

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